The fuel filter can be located in one of two places, depending on the vehicle. It is either right in front of the rear wheels, or it can be found inside the engine compartment. There is an excellent, user-friendly guide on the internet, which includes pictures in order to help you replace the fuel filter on any Ford vehicle. Click here.
You will find the fuel filter on the frame rail on the driver's side. It is usually located in the centre of the driver's side door. Before you proceed with replacing the fuel filter, you must depressurize the fuel system completely. For doing this, open up the gas filler cap and take out the pressure from the gas tank. Then take out the pressure from the fuel lines and release pressure at the Schrader valve. The Schrader valve is located left to the intake manifold on the fuel rail. Depress the valve and let gas come out of it. Next, to remove the filter, first remove the fuel lines from the filter by using quick release. Place a drip pan under the filter to let gas release from the lines. Take off the safety clips from the filter ends. Push the quick release disconnect ring into the fuel line end. Now you can slide the fuel line away from the filter. Repeat the procedure on the other fuel line. It is highly recommended that you wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this.
Actually your wrong theres two filters. The on that is inline to the fuel rail and the one that is on the end of the fuel pump. It looks like a sock and it is a filter for fuel. Hence fuel filter
To clarify for the other person, the "Fuel Filter" is external. There is also a type of filter that's in the tank, and this is most commonly referred to as the "fuel sock". This typically only gets changed when / if the fuel pump itself needs to be replaced, otherwise you never see this. The FUEL FILTER itself I think should be changed every 35k miles or so, at least... That's how often I do it in my cars.
Well first you need to get a new filter and have that ready, then you also need a OEM fuel line disconnect tool because of the type of connection that is on the fuel line since its a fuel injection engine. Then you need to release the pressure from the fuel lines by either removing the fuel pump fuse or by tripping the fuel pump relay and start your car. Your car should die very quickly if its done properly. Then its pretty easy to do it from there. Just have the new filter ready so you don't lose too much fuel out of the lines.I know how to do this since I just had to replace my fuel pump and fuel filter in my 96 explorer.
